Coral Bleaching

Coral bleaching is the coral's response to stressful conditions.

During bleaching, coral loses symbiotic algae and pigments, causing them to turn white.

Global Warming
Problem: Coral bleaching is mainly caused by global warming and climate change, because they are very
sensitive with the temperature of the water they live in.
Solution: We could make small changes to stop climate change, and reduce, reuse, recycle, etc.

Physical Trauma
Problem: Moving and trampling on reefs while carrying equipment during scuba diving/snorkeling can
snap and break coral. Tourists stand on, walk on, kick, touch, and trample on, and even pick up
sediments that is damaging to coral reefs.
Coral with branches is more at risk, and a study in 2014 showed that coral exposed to divers had nine
times more chances of physical damage and lacerations. These affected corals were four times more
susceptible to skeletal eroding band disease.
Solution: If tourists are more careful with coral, or if we stop any reefs to be attraction sites, physical
damage to coral will then be avoided.

Boats
Problem: Boats directly damage coral reefs by breaking them, and the most serious threat comes from
the anchors. Anchors and heavy chains, especially from large boats and yachts dislodge and break corals
when released in water. These damages to corals can last for many years and also damage their
breeding grounds.
Solution: By moving boats away from places in which there are major reefs, damage would be
prevented.

Cruises and Tour Boats

Problem: Chemicals in the paint on boats and fishnets causes pollution in coral reef waters, as well as
affecting the growth of marine organisms. Grey water and human waste from ships are also released
into coral reef habitats.
Solution: Change the making of paint on boats and fishnets to ocean-safe chemicals. It should also be
illegal to release waste into reef habitats, and the people who do so shall be fined.

Souvenirs
Problem: Tourists can directly pick up pieces of coral and other products from the sea, leading to the
exploitation of vulnerable marine species. There can also be local shops that sell such products in tourist
areas.
Solution: It should be illegal to sell and/or pick up any item from the reefs, and the people who do so
shall be fined.

Human Encounters
Problem: Fish feeding and encounters with rare species can change the behaviour of coral reef species,
such as size, population, migration patterns, and reproductive activities.
Solution: Closing coral reef tourist sites will prevent human encounters with coral reef species.